Improved bleeder valve



Nov. 21, 1944. c. E. BRIDWELL 2,363,290

IMPROVED BLEEDER VALVE Filed Oct. 13, 1941 INVENTOR. CHHL 0/-/ Bm'pmn. L

Patentecl Nov. 21, 1944 I *UNITED S'IATES PATENT OFFICE IMPROVED BLEEDER VALVE Y a Bridwell, Detroit, Mich.

- Applicationo'ctober 13, 1941, Serial No. 414,741"

3 Claims. c1.137+34) My invention relates to a new and usefulimprovement in bleeder valves for use on oil' wells, deep waterwellsygas wells, etc., and is adapted for mounting at the end of the tubing string at a point below the pump anchor shoe. v

In wells of the type, noted it is frequently necessary to=pull out the entire length of tubing string for various purposes such as'cleaning out the well, replacement of parts, etc. This tubing string is made up of 'pipe sections coupled together and it is customary, in pulling the string of tubing to disjoint the pipe sections when they are raised. After the pump has been pulled out of the well the string of tubing automatically would contain a quantity of liquid and sometimes the entire string of tubing would be filled with fluid. It is desirable to release this fluid from the tubing before hoisting the tubing out of the well and to accomplish this a valve releasing object is dropped into the tubing which opens the bleeder valve. This permits the string of tubing to drain the liquid contained therein so that as the pipe sections are raised and removed, desirable working conditions maybe maintained so far as the spilling of liquid is concerned. Positioned below the bleeder valve in the string of tubing is generally a bottom standing valve. The present invention relates to the construction of the well embodying the bleeder valve and the bottom standing valve. An object of the present invention is to provide a construction of this type whereby an increased volume of flow becomes possible.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a construction in which a single cage serves for a bleeder valve and a control is positioned therebelow.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a construction whereby the parts may be compactly arranged, reduced in weight and rendered easily accessible.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a construction of this type possessing a minimum number of parts which may be easily removed and replaced.

Another'object of the invention is the provision of a construction of this type which will be simple in structure, highly efiicient in use and economical of manufacture. Other objects will appear hereinafter.

It is recognized that various modifications and changes may be made in the detail of structure illustrated without departing from the invenchanges may be embraced within claims attached hereto.

Forming a part-of the specification the scope of the ing in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal, central, sectional view of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlargedsectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig, 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3- of Fig. 1.

In the construction which I have arrived at a unitary structure is provided embodying a tubular member 1. This member serves as a cage bothfor the bleeder valve and the control valve positioned below the bleeder valve. Formed in the tubular member I are diametrically oppo- 'site openings 8 which are internally threaded oppositely, longitudinally directed slots l5 formed tion and it is intended that such modifications '55 therein through which the pin I! projects, this pin being projected through a plug l6 which telescopes in the sleeve l4. Positioned in the sleeve I4 is a ball l9 pressed by the spring l8 so as to force,the ball l9 into sealing position on the end of one of the openings or passages l3.

This spring l8 also bears against the end of the plug 5 which carries a head 20 in which is positioned a ball valve 2|. The construction is such that when this structure is placed in position in Fig. 1, the passages l3 are effectively closed. When it is desired to open these passages l3 for bleeding the string of tubing an object is dropped down the string of tubing so as to strike this valve structure and forces it out of operative position as shown in Fig. 1. When dislodged from its position in Fig. 1 the valve structure will drop downwardly out of'operative position and is not accessible until the member 1 is pulled out of the well when the string of tubing is pulled out.

The major portion of the member 1 is provided with an enlarged bore 22 and slidable longitudinally in the bore 22 is a cup shaped valve 23. The lower portion of the valve 23 is reduced in diameter as shown in Fig. 1 so that there is a space 29 extending around this reduced portion. Openings 25 are formed in the reduced portion so that the interior of the valve 23 will be in is a drawcommunication with the space 29. The bottom 24 is adapted to rest upon a valve seat or ring 26 having an opening 28 formed therethrough', the bottom 24 serving as a valve for closing the opening or passage 28. This ring is retained in position by the threaded neck 21 of a fitting which is threaded into the lower end of the member 21. The fitting 21 has a bore 30 formed therethrough, a portion 3| of which is threaded to receive an end'of the production pipe 32 which is in spaced relation to the gas separator tube 34 which is threaded into the threaded portion 33 of the fitting 21.

It will be noted that there is a unitary structure, thus provided, the member 1 serving as; a

cage for the bleeder valve and also for the con,- trol or standing valve 23. When thevalve 23 is lifted off of its seat the liquid. flowing; upwardly through the passage 28 will enter the interior of the valve 23 through the space 29 and openings 25, thus washing the faces of. the valve structure.

By forming the construction so that a single cage serves for both valves,v the area of opening or passage through this structure is considerably increased, thus increasing the potential volume of liquid flow. The use of the single. cage also renders the. structure light and more. compact than Where separate cages are used for the separate valves. This compactness is an important feature, particularly in oil-well construction as it renders it possible to move the pump into closer proximity to the production zone or oil pool.

It is believed obvious that the construction may be easily taken apart and the various parts separated and replaced when needed.

What I claim as new is: 1.v In a device of the character described, the combination of a tubular member adapted to be secured to a string of tubing; lateral bores in said tubular member, apertured plugs in said bores; valve seats in said apertured plugs; and spring actuated valves on said valve seats, said valves being dislodgable from said seats by impact from the interior of said tubular member.

2. The structure defined in claim 1, there being counterbores in said lateral bores, the said apertured' plugs being recessed in said counterbores.

3'. The structure. defined. in claim. 1, in which.

the said tubular member has a downwardly production pipe.

CHALO'N E. BRIDWELL. 

